Flexible-fastening device



I Oct; 1929- A. B. SCHACHAT 1,731,638

FLEXIBLE FASTENING DEVICE Filed March 10, 1926 10 20 2d a 11 v 4 E 21 2/ 10 21 20 /0 2/ '20 III-III! 3331 3 @lblfomw Patented Oct. 15, 1929 UNITED ISTAT'ESWPUATENT' OFFICE ABRAHAM B. SCI-'.IIACHA'.I., OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO NOEL STATHAM, OI IRVINGTON-ON-HUDSON, NEW YORK FLEXIBLE-FASTENING DEvIdE Application filed March 10, 1926. Serial No. 93,551.

male fastener elements, and aims to devise 4 articles of the general character specified above which are simple in construction, easy, convenient and economical to fabricate and to assemble, which are convenient in operation, which are unusually flexible, which are neat and attractive in appearance, which permit of certain manipulations which increase the range of applicability and the adaptability of the devices of the present invention,

and which possess other advantages and superioritie's in construction, operation and use in part pointed out in detail hereinafterand in part obvious to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates. Oth

" er objects of the present invention will likewise be in part pointed out in detail hereinafter and will in part be obvious to'those skilled in the artto which the present invention relates.

In the accompanying specification I shall describe,.and in the annexed drawing show, several illustrative embodiments of the articles of the present invention. It is, however,

0 to be clearly understood that my invention is not limited to the specific embodiments thereof hereinshown and describedbut are for purposes of illustrationonly 1 Referring to the drawing; wherein I have illustrated the aforesaid illustrative embodi ments of the present invention:

Fig. 1 is a plan view and Fig. 2 a longitudi nal section of one form of female fastener said illustrative embodiments of the present invention; i

Fig. 3 is a plan view and Fig. 4; isa side elevation of one form of.male fastener eleelement forming a part of one of the afore- 1 ment adapted to cooperate with the form ofer illustrative embodiment of the present invention; v

Fig. 3 is a plan view and Fig. 4 a longitudinal sectional view of another form of male fastener element, adapted to cooperate with the female fastener element shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing; Fig. 3 is a plan view and Fi 4 a longitudinal section of still another orm of male fastener element constituting a part of a third illustrative embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a plan viewof the assembled fastenor-supporting elements, the male and female fasteners carried thereby, and the key for operating the same;

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view of the same taken on line 66 of Fig. 5 of the drawing;

- Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view of,the same Fig. 9 is a plan view of another form of female fastener element; and

Fig. 10 asimilar view of a cooperating male fastener element 'which do not involve the angular adjustability feature of the .tion illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the drawing, 10 indicates a female fastener element in the form of an elongated member provided with the perforation 11 adjacent one end thereof. The perforation 11 is preferably substantially circular so that the opening provided by such perforation is substantially cylindrical. I 20 indicates one of the male fastener elements in the form of anelongated member or slug provided with the knob or protruding portion 21 which is preferably substantially circular, as by being substantially hemispherical. It will thus be noted that by applying the member 10 to the member 20 so that the substantially circular opening 11 passes over the substantially hemispherical knob 21, it is possible to angularly displace the members 10 and 20 while still maintaining the portion 21 within the perforation 11. This angular displacement may take place either in a single plane,,defined.substantially as the plane of the meeting facesof the members 10 and 20, or may be out of such plane for a limited range. It will be notedthat the lower face 22 of the male fastener element20 is substantially flat. In any event, such lower face has no means thereon for engagement with another female fastener element of the series of female fastener elements shortly to be described.

' In Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing is sliown a female fastener element 10 likewise in theform of an elongated member provided with a depression 11 rather. than a perforation therethrough. In such a'case the male fastener element illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4: of the drawing may be in the form of an elongated member 20 provided with the knob or protruding portion 21, the lower face 22 ofthe male fastener element 20', if not absolutely flat, at least has no extension thereon for engagement with another female fastener'element, there usually being a slight depression 23 in such lower face 22 corresponding to the raised portion 21 and result ing generally from the method of manufacture of the male fastener element- 20 by p stamping or the like.

. Here also I prefer that the depression 11 shallbe semi-circular and that the knob 21 shall likewise be semi-circular in cross section or substantially hemispherical, for cooperation. with the substantially semi-circular depression 11' of the corresponding male,

. flexible fastener-supporting elements, generally designated by reference characters 30 and 31, and each preferably comprising the tape portions 30. and 31 and the beaded edge portions 30" and 31" which may be madein anfy desired manner, as by sewing a cord into a olded edge portion of the respective tapes 30'and31. F I

. The flexible fastener-supporting member 30 preferably earriesa seriesof female'fastener elements, such as the female fastener elements illustrated-inFigs. 1 and 2 of the drawing, while the flexible fastener-support- 1ng element31 preferably carries a series of male fastener elements, such as the male fas-.

tenenelements shown in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawln or in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawing. It will e noted, in view of the construction tener element of any other pair of the series of cooperating pairs of male and female fastener elements. This is a novel and unique feature of great importance as'rendering the l device much more flexible than it otherwise would be and as increasing the ease of operation of the device into and out of open and closed positions. J

One of the flexible fastener-supportingelements, such as the flexible fastener-supporting element 31, carries a stop member preferably in the form of a clip or rivet 40 for limiting the outward movement of the key 50- shortly to bedescri'bed in considerable detail herein, while aclip or rivet 41 is provided for uniting the fastener-supporting elements 30 and 31 and for acting as a stop to limit the inward movement of the key 50.

The key or operating member 50 may be of any suitable type or construction providing Ta plurality of converging channes which serve to guide the cooperating pairs of male and female fastener elements into and out of open and closed positions. For example, the key 50 may comprise a plurality of cooperat: ing channel-defining plates 51 and 52 defining between them the channels 53 and 54 which are spaced apart by the wedge-shaped member 55 which separates the plates 51 and 52 and which plates may be soldered or other wise suitably attached, as to the wedgeshaped member 55. By means of an eyelet 56 or any'suitable means, a manipulating handle 57 maybe attached to the key 50 so as to permit its manipulation up and down along the flexible fastening device here generally designated by reference character 57.

y It may here be stated that the outer ends of i the male and female fasteners are key-slotted so as to fit tightly over the beaded edges of the respective flexible fastener-supporting members, as indicated by reference characters 15 and 25, respectively. It may here" also be stated that the flange portions 51 and 51", and 52 and 52, defining the channels 53 and 54:, respectively, ,act on the slotted ends 15 and 25 of the respective male and fem-ale fasteners of each pair of cooperating fasteners to guide the same into and out of closing and opening positions, as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates. I

This completes the description of the construction of the aforesaid illustrative embodiments of the present invention and the 65 of the female and male fastener elements ating the illustrative'embodiment of the inthe drawing will likewise be clear to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates but may be briefly summa rized as follows:

Assuming the device to be partially closed and partially open, as shown in Fig. of the drawing, a movement of the key or operating member 50 by the suitable manipulation of the handle 57, downwardly in the position shown in Fig. 5 of the drawing,causes the wedge-shaped member 55 to be interposed between the cooperating male and female fasteners of each pair, thus opening the device. In the reverse direction of movement of the key orope'rating member 50, upwardly in the. position shown in Fig. 5 of the drawing, the pressure of the flange portions 51' and 51", and 52 and 52", on the outer keyslotted ends 15 and Q5 of the respective male and female fastener members causes the same to be brought into closed position. The clip or rivet 40 limits the movement of the key 50 upwardly during the closing operation,

while'the clip or rivet 4:1 limits the movement of the key 50 downwardly during the opening operation.

The advantages of the foregoing construc-' n r 1 tion are numerous and of great practical 11nb'"portance. The devices are very simple in constructlon, may be readily, and economically fabricated, and may be as readily and economically assembled. The devlces are characterized by their ruggedness, their. liability to get out of orderand their long life.

' The assembled flexible fastening devices are. further characterized by their considerable flexibility and theirease of operation into and out of closed position. Further advantages 49 and superiorities of the devices of the present invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates.

It may here be stated that the slotted ends 5 of the male and female fastener elements are sufficiently widely spread to enable them to be clamped downin the desired positions upon the beaded edges of the flexible fastenersupporting'elements, as will be readily ap- 50 parent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates. It may here further be stated that in the form of the female fastener elements illustrated in Figs.

1, 2 and 5 to 8, inclusive, of the drawing,

53 in which such female fastener elements are rovided' with perforations therethrough, the fastening devices embodying such female fastener elements are self-cleaning, that is, the entrance of the protruding portion on to each cooperating male fastener elements into the opening in the corresponding female fastenerelement serves to clean such opening. This adapts the devices of the present inyention with particular success in connection with bathing bags and otherv devices subjected to exposure to dirt, sand and thelike. Since in certain types of construction it may be desirable to have cooperating pairs of fasteners which are not angnlarly adjustwhich by cooperation with the similarly formed knob or raised portion 62 of the corresponding male fastener element 63 will be designed to prevent such fasteners from having an angular adjustment with respectto each other when in locked position. The flattened portion of the perforation or depression 61 in the female fastener element 60 has been designated by the reference character 61", while the corresponding flattened portion of the knob or extension 63 of the male fasten er element 62 has been designated by reference character 63. Otherwise, the construction of the fasteners shown in Figs. 9 and 10 of the drawing and the method of applying the same to their respective supporting members are the same as for the fasteners described previously in this specification. It is, of course, to be clearly understood that other mechanical expedients besides the flattened ,sides of the perforation or depression and of" the corresponding extension on the male fastener element may be employed where it is desired toprevent the cooperating pairs of fasteners from being angnlarly adjustable with respect to each other when in locked position. O

In Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawing, I have shown a male fastener element designated by reference character 20 and comprising an elongated member or slug provided with a plurality of knobs. or protruding portions ly described to the male fastener element 20" so that the substantially circular opening of such female fastener element passes over the substantially hemispherical knob 21", it is possible to angnlarly displace the male and female fastener element, while still maintaining the portion 21 within the perforation or depression in the female fastener element. This action furthermore takes place on each side' of the male fastener element 20 by reason of the provision of a pair of knobs or protruding portions 21", 21", as already described above.

What I claim as myinvention is:

1. A male fastener element comprising an elongated element provided A on one side with a raisedj'portion formed inwardly from one end and the sides thereof, the other side thereof presenting-an unbroken and substantially flat surface. Q i

2. A male fastener element comprising an elongated element provided on one side with a raised, circular portion formed inwardly froni one end and the sides thereof, the other side thereof presenting an unbroken and substantially flat surface.

3. A male fastener element comprising an elongated element, provided on one side with a raised, hemispherical portion formed inwardly from one end and the sides thereof, the other side thereof presenting an unbroken and substantially flat surface; I

4. A flexible fastening member comprising i a flexible fastener supporting element and a series'of male fastener elements carried thereby and each comprising an elongated element provided on one side with a raised, hemispherical portion formed inwardly from one end and the sides thereof, the other side thereof presenting an unbroken and substantially fiat surface. 3 i i 5. A flexible fastening member comprising a flexible fastener-supporting element and a a series of male fastener elements carried there- I senting by and each comprising an elongated element provided on one side with a raised, clrcular portion formed inwardly from one end and the sides thereof, the other sidethereof preby and each comprising 'an elongated element J provided on one;side with a raised portion formed inwardly from one end and the sides thereof, the other side thereof presentingv an unbroken and substantially flat surface.

7. A flexible fastening device comprising, in combination, a flexible fastening member comprising a flexible fastener-supporting element and a series of female fastener elements carried thereby and each comprising an elongated member provided with a perforation formed inwardly from one end and the sides thereof, and a flexible fastening member comprising a flexible fastener-supporting element and a series of male fastener elements carried thereby and each comprising an elongated element provided on one side with a raised portion formed inwardly from one end and the sides thereof, the other side thereof pre-, an unbroken and substantially flat surface. h

8. A flexible fastening device comprising, in combination, a flexible fastening member comprising a flexible fastener-supporting element and a series of female fastener elements carried thereby and each comprising an elongated member provided with a circular perforation formed inwardly from oneend and the sides thereof, and a flexible fastening= member comprising a flexible fastener-supporting element and a series of male fastener 1 elements carried thereby and each comprising an elongated element provided,on one side Wltll a raised, circular portion formed invvardly from one end and the sides thereof, the other side thereof presenting an unbroken and substantially flat surface.

9. A flexible fastening'device comprising,

in'combination, a flexible fastening member comprising a flexible fastener-supporting element and a series of female fastener elements carried thereby andeach comprising an elongated member provided with a circular per- .the other side thereof presenting anunbroken' andsubstantially flat surface. 10. A flexible fastening devicecomprising, in combination, a flexible fastening member comprising a flexible fastener-supporting element and a series of female fastener elements W carried thereby and each comprising an elongated member provided with a circular perforati on formed inwardly from one end and the sides thereof, and a. flexible fastening member comprising a flexible fastener-supporting element and a series of male fastener elements carried thereby and each comprising an elongated element provided on one side with a raised, hemispherical portion formed.-

inwardly from one end and the sides thereof, the other s1de thereof presenting an unbroken and substantially flat surface, in combination with 'a slidable key for such flexible. fastening device adapted in one direction of '1ts movement along said device to open the same and in the other direction of its move ment along said device to close the same.

11. A flexlble fastening device comprising,

. in combination, a flexible fastening member comprising a flexible fastener-supporting elecarried'thereby and each comprising an'elongated member provided with a substantially circular perforatlon formed inwardly from one end and the sides thereof, and a flexible fastening member comprising a flexible fastener-supporting element and a series of male 'ment and a series of female fastener elements one direction of its movement along said device to open the same and in the other direction of its movement along said device to close the same. 7

12. A flexible fastening device comprising, in combination, a flexible fastening member comprising a flexible fastener-supporting element and a series of female fastener elements carried thereby and each comprising an elongated member provided with a perforation formed inwardly from one end and the sides thereof, and a flexible fastening member comprising a flexible fastener-supporting element and a series of male fastener elements carried thereby and each comprising an elongated element provided on one side with a raised portion formed inwardly from one end and the sides thereof, the other side thereof presenting' an unbroken and substantially flat surface, in combination with a slidable key for such flexible fastening device adapted in one direction of its movement along said device toopen the same and in the other direction of its movement along said device to close the same.

13. A flexible fastening member comprising a flexible fastener-supporting, element and a series of male fastener elements carried thereby and'each comprising an element provided on one side with a raised, hemispherical portion formed inwardly from one end and the sides thereof, the other side thereof presenting surface.

in testimony whereof, I have signed m an unbroken and substantially flat name to this specification this 11th day of February, 1926. 1 v 7 AB AHAM B. SCHACHAT. 

